If you’ve never worked from home, the concept can be intriguing. No morning commute or bosses looking over your shoulder? What’s not to like?
However, these same advantages are also why many employers are skeptical about implementing or continuing a remote work set-up. After all, how can you monitor your team’s progress if your members are scattered all over the world?
Fortunately, we’re living in the 21st century. Thanks to the internet and the continuous advancement of technology, some of the most common fears about embracing remote work are actually groundless.
Read on to find out why.
Fear #1: Unproductive Employees
This is the most common fear about a WFH set-up, and it’s often the biggest misconception too. Remote work actually makes your staff more productive because it eliminates the daily commute and office politics, two things that can derail even the most hardworking employee on a daily basis.
In fact, a survey found an overwhelming 91 percent of employees that reported getting more work done remotely. Similarly, a huge percentage of employers also reported higher levels of staff productivity when they allowed their employees to work from home.
If you’re still in doubt, just take a look at companies that were already doing it (and crushing it) even before the pandemic.
Fear #2: No Sense of Community
One of the best things about the traditional work setup is the sense of belonging it can engender. Employees physically work alongside each other everyday and it doesn’t take long to build camaraderie. It can also be easier to collaborate when your colleagues are just a few steps away.
Admittedly, remote work can feel isolating. However, it’s not impossible to foster teamwork, high employee engagement, and a healthy company culture within this environment.
For instance, instant messaging allows you to chat with your colleagues any time. There are also video calls and virtual team building events (but don’t force them). For instance, you can organise movie nights where everyone simultaneously watches the same movie with an open chat box.
The point is, there are so many things that you can do virtually to make everyone feel like a valued part of the team.
Fear #3: Employees Will Take On Distracting Side Jobs
While working from home might free up additional time, remote workers won’t necessarily be inclined to fill that up with other jobs. Many of them actually prefer stability with companies that give them work flexibility. Besides, who wouldn’t want more free time for themselves and/or their families?
This is particularly true for millennials who place a premium on their mental health, work-life balance, and self care. Working parents also appreciate being able to look after their families while working, and those two are already full-time jobs in themselves.
Fear #4: Lack of Communication
Oh, come on! Communication’s no longer limited to telegrams and phone calls. Today, there are countless ways to reach your staff anywhere in the world at any time. Email, instant messaging, video calls, etc.: take your pick.
If anything, there’s actually a bigger chance of over-communicating, seriously.
Remote work is here to stay, there’s no denying that. A fully digital future is inevitable and remote workers will be at the forefront. For your company to weather tumultuous changes and survive (or perhaps even thrive), it’s important to innovate and adapt.
Fortunately, Remote Staff has long been a trusted authority in the remote work industry since 2007. We have been providing AU SMEs and entrepreneurs like you with skilled Filipino remote talents for fourteen years and counting, all so you can focus on building your business and preparing for the not-so-distant digital future.
Call us today or schedule a call back so we can get started.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home.
